DOCSLIB.ORG

The Metathoracic Spiracles in Some Ants and Wasps (Hymenoptera: Formicidae; Vespidae)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Metathoracic Spiracles in Some Ants and Wasps (Hymenoptera: Formicidae; Vespidae) Russian Entomol. J. 26(1): 49–62 © RUSSIAN ENTOMOLOGICAL JOURNAL, 2017 The metathoracic spiracles in some ants and wasps (Hymenoptera: Formicidae; Vespidae) Ìåòàòîðàêàëüíûå äûõàëüöà íåêîòîðûõ ìóðàâüåâ è îñ (Hymenoptera: Formicidae; Vespidae) Elena B. Fedoseeva Åëåíà Á. Ôåäîñååâà Zoological Museum of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street 2, 125009 Moscow, Russia. Зоологический музей МГУ им М.В. Ломоносова, Большая Никитская ул., 2, 125009 Москва, Россия. KEYWORDS: Aculeata, Comparative anatomy, mesosoma, mesopleuron, metapleuron, spiracular mechanism. КЛЮЧЕВЫЕ СЛОВА: Aculeata, сравнительная морфология, мезосома, мезоплеврон, метаплеврон, механизм дыхальца. ABSTRACT. The second thoracic spiracle and the мы со скрытыми дыхальцами из обоих семейств adjacent skeleton were studied in twenty-two ant species Aculeata имеют запирающую дыхальцевую мышцу в from nine Formicidae subfamilies (Formicinae, Doli- дополнение к супрамезоплевральному склериту, choderinae, Myrmeciinae, Paraponerinae, Ponerinae, Ec- скрывающему истинное дыхальце. Предполагается tatomminae, Myrmicinae, Dorylinae and Ecitoninae) and гомология между повторно обнаруженной дыхаль- two wasp species from Vespidae (Vespa crabro L., 1758 цевой мышцей Aculeata и соответствующей мышцей and Dolichovespula sp.). Dissections followed by scan- метаторакального дыхальца Symphyta. Сравнение ning electron microscopy or photography revealed that крылатых Formicidae и рабочих муравьев со скрыты- the studied alate forms with concealed spiracles from ми дыхальцами продемонстрировало сходство меж- both Aculeata families possess the spiracular occlusor ду ними как по положению пластинок, покрываю- muscle in addition to the supramesopleural sclerite con- щих дыхальца (т.е. супрамезоплеврального склерита cealing the true spiracle. There is assumed to be a homol- и дыхальцевой лопасти, соответственно), так и по ogous relationship between the re-discovered spiracular положению дыхальцевых мышц. Поэтому дыхальце- occlusor muscle of Aculeata and the corresponding mus- вую лопасть рабочих муравьёв Formicinae, Dolicho- cle of the metathoracic spiracle in Symphyta. The com- derinae, Myrmeciinae, Paraponerinae, Ponerinae, Ecta- parison of winged Formicidae and ant workers with tomminae следует считать дериватом супрамезоплев- concealed spiracles demonstrated the similarities be- рального склерита, присущего крылатым самкам. В tween them both on the position of plates covering the свою очередь, открытый тип дыхалец у рабочих му- metathoracic spiracles (i.e. supramesopleural sclerite and равьёв Myrmicinae, Dorylinae и Ecitoninae согласует- spiracular lobe, respectively), and on the position of the ся с отсутствием супрамезоплеврального склерита у spiracular occlusor muscles. Accordingly, the spiracular крылатых форм из тех же подсемейств. lobe of worker ants of Formicinae, Dolichoderinae, Myr- meciinae, Paraponerinae, Ponerinae and Ectatomminae Introduction was determined to be a derivative of the supramesopleu- ral sclerite that is essential to their winged females. At the same time the exposed type of spiracles observed in As the metathoracic spiracles are inconspicuous or studied Myrmicinae, Dorylinae and Ecitoninae ant work- concealed, it is difficult to investigate their morphology ers corresponds with the absence of the supramesopleural and phylogeny in aculeate hymenoptera. Nevertheless, sclerite in the alate forms. their position is one of the important landmarks on the hymenoptera thorax [Reid, 1941]. In winged forms, the РЕЗЮМЕ. Второе грудное дыхальце и примыка- second thoracic spiracles are concealed beneath the bases ющий к нему скелет были изучены у 22 видов мура- of the hind wings; in wingless forms, the original position вьёв из 9 подсемейств Formicidae (Formicinae, of the spiracle is in the membrane between the meso- and Dolichoderinae, Myrmeciinae, Paraponerinae, Ponerinae, metapleuron. According to Reid, in many forms the Ectatomminae, Myrmicinae, Dorylinae и Ecitoninae), а second spiracle is at the dorsal termination of the me- также у двух видов ос из Vespidae (Vespa crabro L. sometapleural suture, and with very few exceptions it is 1758 and Dolichovespula sp.). Препаровка с последу- always at the junction of the dorsum and pleura. ющей сканирующей электронной микроскопией либо Meanwhile et Duncan [1939] noted that second thorac- фотосъёмкой показали, что изученные крылатые фор- ic spiracle of vespine wasps is covered by a small sclerite. 50 E.B. Fedoseeva He referred to it as the spiracular peritreme, but subsequent spiracle, were analysed in the course of compiling the comparison with other Hymenoptera suggested that it is a attributes of species, genera and subfamilies [Yoshimura, real sclerite [Tonapi, 1958]. Primarily it was attributed to Fisher, 2007, 2012; Boudinot, 2015]. Information about the posterodorsal corner of the mesopleuron [Duncan, the status of this trait in females is published infrequently 1939; Tonapi, 1958]. However, currently, based on data of [Ogata 1987, 1991]. However the internal structure of the symphytans, modern authors referred to sclerite as certain metathoracic spiracle in Formicidae species is not men- intersegmentalia that were affiliated with the mesopleuron tioned in modern publications. [Vilhelmsen, 2000; Vilhelmsen et al., 2010]. Besides vespine wasps, the sclerite that conceals or partly covers Materials and methods the second thoracic spiracle was detected in some other taxa of Aculeata. As a result, it acquired a variety of denominations: collar [Tonapi, 1958]; epimeral lobe [Ri- The examined material included two wasp species chards, 1977; Yoshimura, Fisher, 2007]; basalar lobe from Vespidae (Vespinae), Vespa crabro Linnaeus, [Bohart, Menke, 1976; Deyrup, Cover, 2004; MacGown 1758 and Dolichovespula sp., and twenty-three ant et al., 2014], supramesopleural sclerite [Vilhelmsen et species from nine subfamilies of Formicidae: Formici- al., 2010], spiracular sclerite [Boudinot, 2015]. nae, Dolichoderinae, Myrmeciinae, Paraponerinae, Pon- The mechanism of the second thoracic spiracle in erinae, Ectatomminae, Myrmicinae, Dorylinae and Aculeata representatives remains uncertain although many Ecitoninae (Table). Detailed information about speci- researchers have studied it. Most agree with certain sim- mens is presented in Appendix 1. ilarities between the second spiracle and the first one, in Table. List of examined Formicidae species which the aperture is regulated by a single occlusor Таблица. Список изученных видов Formicidae muscle. The principal disagreement concerns the exist- ence of the corresponding muscle. For example, there is Subfamily Species an occlusor muscle of the second thoracic spiracle in Dolichoderinae Azteca sp. several ant species [Nasonov, 1889; Tonapi, 1958, 1959; Dolichoderus attelaboides (Fabricius, 1775) Delye, 1965]. Duncan [1939], Tonapi [1958] and Rich- Dorylinae Dorylus orientalis Westwood, 1835 ards [1977] noted the presence of the occlusor muscle in Ecitoninae Eciton burchellii (Westwood, 1842) vespine wasps while Snodgrass [1925] declared its ab- Ectatomminae Ectatomma tuberculatum (Olivier, 1792) sence in honeybees. In addition to above mentioned Formicinae Ñamponotus (Tanaemyrmex) sp. aculeates Tonapi [1958] studied spiracular structures in Ñamponotus herculeanus (Linnaeus, 1758) Symphyta species. Most of his conclusions relating to the Formica aquilonia Yarrow, 1955 Formica exsecta Nylander, 1846 presence of an occlusor muscle of the second thoracic Formica lugubris Zetterstedt, 1838 spiracle in symphytans were corroborated [Vilhelmsen, Lasius niger (Linnaeus, 1758) 2000], but the muscle’s existence in aculeates requires Myrmeciinae Myrmecia sp. additional studies. The main problem is that it is such a Myrmecia piriformis Smith, F., 1858 minute muscle and is therefore difficult to detect. More- Myrmicinae Aphaenogaster gibbosa (Latreille, 1798) over, sometimes it “is not possible to discern between Atta sexdens (Linnaeus, 1758) concealment and absence of the spiracle because this Manica rubida (Latreille, 1802) fragile structure was often destroyed during dissection” Messor denticulatus Santschi, 1927 [Vilhelmsen et al., 2010: 72]. Myrmica lobicornis Nylander, 1846 Since the attributes of the metathoracic spiracle as Myrmica ruginodis Nylander, 1846 Pogonomyrmex badius (Latreille, 1802) well as the state of its associated sclerite are important for Paraponerinae Paraponera clavata (Fabricius, 1775) interpretation of Aculeata phylogeny, it was further eval- Ponerinae Diacamma geometricum Smith F., 1857 uated in this study. It was necessary to demonstrate the Ponerinae Dinoponera gigantean (Perty, 1833) adjacent skeleton and the components of the spiracle at least in representatives of the two families Vespidae and Formicidae. The number of species in Formicidae was Most of the material for the present study was pre- greater for the following reasons. Most Formicidae spe- served in 70% ethanol. Dried material was used in some cies have winged sex individuals (males and females) and instances. The dissections were carried out with tools for wingless workers (non-reproductive females), that mark- ophthalmic microsurgery (spring scissors, blade holder edly differed in thorax morphology. Moreover the thorax and forceps), pieces of razor blades and hair, and entomo- structure varies between Formicidae subfamilies. There- logical pins. Prior to dissecting the mesosoma, the head, fore it was necessary to study the representatives of legs, wings and metasoma were removed. Dissection
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ant Type Specimens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Deposited in the Museu De Zoologia Da Universidade De São Paulo, Brazil
    Volume 48(11):75-88, 2008 Catalogue of “poneromorph” ant type specimens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil Cristiane P. Scott-Santos Flávia A. Esteves Carlos Roberto F. Brandão AbsTracT The present catalogue lists the type specimes of 112 nominal “poneromorph” ant species housed in the Formicidae collection of the Hymenoptera laboratory, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP). The catalogue includes types of Amblyoponinae, Ectatomminae, Heteroponerinae, Ponerinae, and Proceratiinae, that is, all poneromorph (sensu Bolton, 2003) but for the monotypic Paraponerinae, of which the collection bears no type specimens. We present here information on type categories (holotype, paratype, syntype, lectotype, and paralectotype), label data, nomenclatural changes since the original description and type specimens conservation status. At last we present indexes for the taxa names presented. Keywords: Hymenoptera, ants, types, MZSP, Amblyoponinae, Ectatomminae, Heteroponerinae, Ponerinae, Proceratiinae. INTRODucTION The purpose of the present catalogue is to pro- vide updated information on poneromorph type The Formicidae collection housed in the Hy- specimes of the MZSP collection, following Article menoptera laboratory of the Museu de Zoologia da 72 F.4 of the International Code for Zoological No- Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP) is under con- menclature (1999). struction since the end of the 19th century and is to- The poneromorph group of ants, as defined by day one of the largest and more representative ant col- Bolton (2003), is distributed worldwide and consists lections in and for the Neotropical region, as regard of circa 1,700 described species in 49 genera of six to the number of specimens, including types, and subfamilies: Amblyoponinae, Ectatomminae, Hetero- localities (Brandão, 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • Wedge-Shaped Beetles (Suggested Common Name) Ripiphorus Spp. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Ripiphoridae)1 David Owens, Ashley N
    EENY613 Wedge-Shaped Beetles (suggested common name) Ripiphorus spp. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Ripiphoridae)1 David Owens, Ashley N. Mortensen, Jeanette Klopchin, William Kern, and Jamie D. Ellis2 Introduction Ripiphoridae are a family of unusual parasitic beetles that are thought to be related to tumbling flower beetles (Coleoptera: Mordellidae) and blister beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae). There is disagreement over the spelling of the family (Ripiphoridae) and genus (Ripiphorus) names. Here we use the original spelling that starts with only the letter Figure 1. Adult specimens of the two genera of Ripiphoridae. A) “R”; however, an initial “Rh” has also been used in the Macrosiagon Hentz, and B) Ripiphorus Bosc. scientific community (Rhipiphoridae and Rhipiphorus). Credits: Allen M. Boatman There are an estimated 35 nearctic species of Ripiphorus, Generally, the biology of the family Ripiphoridae is poorly two of which have been collected in Florida: Ripiphorus known. Ripiphorids parasitize bees and wasps (Hymenop- schwarzi LeConte (Figure 2A) and Ripiphorus fasciatus Say tera), roaches (Blattodea), and wood-boring beetles (Co- (Figure 2B). Due to limited information for both of these leoptera). However, the specific hosts for many ripiphorid species, the information presented below is characteristic species are unknown. Furthermore, only one sex (either of the genus Ripiphorus. Information specific to Ripiphorus male or female) has been described for several species, and fasciatus and Ripiphorus schwarzi is presented where the males and females of some species look different. detailed information is available. Two genera of Ripiphoridae infest hymenopteran (bee and wasp) nests: Macrosiagon Hentz (Figure 1A) and Ripiphorus Bosc (formerly Myodites Latreille) (Figure 1B). Species of Macrosiagon are parasites of a variety of hymenopteran families including: Halictidae, Vespidae, Tiphiidae, Apidae, Pompilidae, Crabronidae, and Sphecidae.
    [Show full text]
  • Digging Deeper Into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning Across Two Continents
    diversity Article Digging Deeper into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning across Two Continents Mickal Houadria * and Florian Menzel Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Soil fauna is generally understudied compared to above-ground arthropods, and ants are no exception. Here, we compared a primary and a secondary forest each on two continents using four different sampling methods. Winkler sampling, pitfalls, and four types of above- and below-ground baits (dead, crushed insects; melezitose; living termites; living mealworms/grasshoppers) were applied on four plots (4 × 4 grid points) on each site. Although less diverse than Winkler samples and pitfalls, subterranean baits provided a remarkable ant community. Our baiting system provided a large dataset to systematically quantify strata and dietary specialisation in tropical rainforest ants. Compared to above-ground baits, 10–28% of the species at subterranean baits were overall more common (or unique to) below ground, indicating a fauna that was truly specialised to this stratum. Species turnover was particularly high in the primary forests, both concerning above-ground and subterranean baits and between grid points within a site. This suggests that secondary forests are more impoverished, especially concerning their subterranean fauna. Although subterranean ants rarely displayed specific preferences for a bait type, they were in general more specialised than above-ground ants; this was true for entire communities, but also for the same species if they foraged in both strata. Citation: Houadria, M.; Menzel, F.
    [Show full text]
  • Ant Venoms. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical
    CE: Namrta; ACI/5923; Total nos of Pages: 5; ACI 5923 Ant venoms Donald R. Hoffman Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Purpose of review Greenville, North Carolina, USA The review summarizes knowledge about ants that are known to sting humans and their Correspondence to Donald R. Hoffman, PhD, venoms. Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Recent findings 600 Moye Blvd, Greenville, NC 27834, USA Fire ants and Chinese needle ants are showing additional spread of range. Fire ants are Tel: +1 252 744 2807; e-mail: [email protected] now important in much of Asia. Venom allergens have been characterized and Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical studied for fire ants and jack jumper ants. The first studies of Pachycondyla venoms Immunology 2010, 10:000–000 have been reported, and a major allergen is Pac c 3, related to Sol i 3 from fire ants. There are very limited data available for other ant groups. Summary Ants share some common proteins in venoms, but each group appears to have a number of possibly unique components. Further proteomic studies should expand and clarify our knowledge of these fascinating animals. Keywords ant, fire ant, jack jumper ant, phospholipase, sting, venom Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 10:000–000 ß 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 1528-4050 east [4] and P. sennaarensis in the middle east [5]. These Introduction two species are commonly referred to as Chinese needle Ants are among the most biodiverse organisms on earth. ants and samsum ants.
    [Show full text]
  • The Functions and Evolution of Social Fluid Exchange in Ant Colonies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Marie-Pierre Meurville & Adria C
    ISSN 1997-3500 Myrmecological News myrmecologicalnews.org Myrmecol. News 31: 1-30 doi: 10.25849/myrmecol.news_031:001 13 January 2021 Review Article Trophallaxis: the functions and evolution of social fluid exchange in ant colonies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Marie-Pierre Meurville & Adria C. LeBoeuf Abstract Trophallaxis is a complex social fluid exchange emblematic of social insects and of ants in particular. Trophallaxis behaviors are present in approximately half of all ant genera, distributed over 11 subfamilies. Across biological life, intra- and inter-species exchanged fluids tend to occur in only the most fitness-relevant behavioral contexts, typically transmitting endogenously produced molecules adapted to exert influence on the receiver’s physiology or behavior. Despite this, many aspects of trophallaxis remain poorly understood, such as the prevalence of the different forms of trophallaxis, the components transmitted, their roles in colony physiology and how these behaviors have evolved. With this review, we define the forms of trophallaxis observed in ants and bring together current knowledge on the mechanics of trophallaxis, the contents of the fluids transmitted, the contexts in which trophallaxis occurs and the roles these behaviors play in colony life. We identify six contexts where trophallaxis occurs: nourishment, short- and long-term decision making, immune defense, social maintenance, aggression, and inoculation and maintenance of the gut microbiota. Though many ideas have been put forth on the evolution of trophallaxis, our analyses support the idea that stomodeal trophallaxis has become a fixed aspect of colony life primarily in species that drink liquid food and, further, that the adoption of this behavior was key for some lineages in establishing ecological dominance.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 KEY to the DESERT ANTS of CALIFORNIA. James Des Lauriers
    KEY TO THE DESERT ANTS OF CALIFORNIA. James des Lauriers Dept Biology, Chaffey College, Alta Loma, CA [email protected] 15 Apr 2011 Snelling and George (1979) surveyed the Mojave and Colorado Deserts including the southern ends of the Owen’s Valley and Death Valley. They excluded the Pinyon/Juniper woodlands and higher elevation plant communities. I have included the same geographical region but also the ants that occur at higher elevations in the desert mountains including the Chuckwalla, Granites, Providence, New York and Clark ranges. Snelling, R and C. George, 1979. The Taxonomy, Distribution and Ecology of California Desert Ants. Report to Calif. Desert Plan Program. Bureau of Land Mgmt. Their keys are substantially modified in the light of more recent literature. Some of the keys include species whose ranges are not known to extend into the deserts. Names of species known to occur in the Mojave or Colorado deserts are colored red. I would appreciate being informed if you find errors or can suggest changes or additions. Key to the Subfamilies. WORKERS AND FEMALES. 1a. Petiole two-segmented. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2 b. Petiole one-segmented. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………..4 2a. Frontal carinae narrow, not expanded laterally, antennal sockets fully exposed in frontal view. ……………………………….3 b. Frontal carinae expanded laterally, antennal sockets partially or fully covered in frontal view. …………… Myrmicinae, p 4 3a. Eye very large and covering much of side of head, consisting of hundreds of ommatidia; thorax of female with flight sclerites. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…. Pseudomyrmecinae, p 2 b. Eye absent or vestigial and consist of a single ommatidium; thorax of female without flight sclerites.
    [Show full text]
  • Mcabee Fossil Site Assessment
    1 McAbee Fossil Site Assessment Final Report July 30, 2007 Revised August 5, 2007 Further revised October 24, 2008 Contract CCLAL08009 by Mark V. H. Wilson, Ph.D. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Phone 780 435 6501; email [email protected] 2 Table of Contents Executive Summary ..............................................................................................................................................................3 McAbee Fossil Site Assessment ..........................................................................................................................................4 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................4 Geological Context ...........................................................................................................................................................8 Claim Use and Impact ....................................................................................................................................................10 Quality, Abundance, and Importance of the Fossils from McAbee ............................................................................11 Sale and Private Use of Fossils from McAbee..............................................................................................................12 Educational Use of Fossils from McAbee.....................................................................................................................13
    [Show full text]
  • Ant Chromosomes
    Insectes Sociaux, Paris Masson, Paris, 1983 1983, Volume 30, n ~ 2, pp. 14%164 ANT CHROMOSOMES II, KARYOTYPES OF WESTERN PALEARCTIC SPECIES * E. HAUSCHTECK-JUNGEN (1) and H. JUNGEN (2)** tl) Zootogisches Institut der UniversiRit Ziirich, Winterthurerstr. 190, CH - 8057 Ziirich, Switzerland (2) Zoologisches Museum der Universitlit Zi'trich, Winterthurerstr, 190, CH - 8057 Zi~rich, Switzerland Regu le 6 d6eembre 1980. Accept6 le 23 avril 1982. S UMMARY The chromosome numbers of 40 ant species are reported. For 22 species the karyo- types as ~r as the chromosome numbers are presented. The chromosome numbers range between n = 8 and n = 26. Remarkable karyotypes are those of the germs LaMas in exhibiting mainly acrocentric chromosomes. In all other ?~aryotypes the majori:ty of chromosomes show medio- or submediocentric centromere position. Differences in chromosome numbers in the genus Camponotus reflect the grouping in subgenera 'with the exception of Taneemyrmex. This pattern is not true for the genera Aphaenoeaster and Leptothorax, where a variety of chromosome numbers ~r found in the different subgenera. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Ameisenchromosomen:- IL Karyotypen westpal~arktischer Arten Die Chromosomenzahlen yon 40 Ameisenarten ,~verden mitgeieilt. Ffir 22 Arten wird zus~tztich der Karyotyp vorgelegt. Die haploiden Chrornosomenzahlen bewegen sich zwischen n = 8 und n = 26. Bemerkenswert sind die Karyotypen der Gatttmg Lasius. Diese Karyotypen besitzen, abgesehen yon einern oder zwei mediozentrischen Paaren. ausscbliesslich acrozentrische Chromosornen. ARe fibrigen Karyotypen bestehen iiber- wiegend aus rnedio- bzvr submediozentrischen Chrornosornen. In der Gattung Carnponorus emspricht die Gruppierung in Untergattungen auch einer Gruppierung yon unterschiedlichen Chrornosomenzahlen. Fi.ir die Gattungen Aphceno. gaster und Leptothorax gilt diese Entsprechung nicht.
    [Show full text]
  • Borowiec Et Al-2020 Ants – Phylogeny and Classification
    A Ants: Phylogeny and 1758 when the Swedish botanist Carl von Linné Classification published the tenth edition of his catalog of all plant and animal species known at the time. Marek L. Borowiec1, Corrie S. Moreau2 and Among the approximately 4,200 animals that he Christian Rabeling3 included were 17 species of ants. The succeeding 1University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA two and a half centuries have seen tremendous 2Departments of Entomology and Ecology & progress in the theory and practice of biological Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, classification. Here we provide a summary of the NY, USA current state of phylogenetic and systematic 3Social Insect Research Group, Arizona State research on the ants. University, Tempe, AZ, USA Ants Within the Hymenoptera Tree of Ants are the most ubiquitous and ecologically Life dominant insects on the face of our Earth. This is believed to be due in large part to the cooperation Ants belong to the order Hymenoptera, which also allowed by their sociality. At the time of writing, includes wasps and bees. ▶ Eusociality, or true about 13,500 ant species are described and sociality, evolved multiple times within the named, classified into 334 genera that make up order, with ants as by far the most widespread, 17 subfamilies (Fig. 1). This diversity makes the abundant, and species-rich lineage of eusocial ants the world’s by far the most speciose group of animals. Within the Hymenoptera, ants are part eusocial insects, but ants are not only diverse in of the ▶ Aculeata, the clade in which the ovipos- terms of numbers of species.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of Burning and Grazing on Survival, Home Range, and Prey Dynamics of the Texas Horned Lizard in a Thornscrub Ecosystem
    The Effects of Burning and Grazing on Survival, Home Range, and Prey Dynamics of the Texas Horned Lizard in a Thornscrub Ecosystem Anna L. Burrow1, Richard T. Kazmaier1, Eric C. Hellgren1, and Donald C. Ruthven, III2 Abstract.—We examined the effects of rotational can increase the amount of woody vegetation (Archer livestock grazing and prescribed winter burning on the and Smeins 1991). Ruthven et al. (2000) found that state threatened Texas horned lizard, Phrynosoma forbs increased on southern Texas rangelands in the first cornutum, by comparing home range sizes, survival year after a winter burn, but were not affected by estimates and prey abundance across burning and grazing. Bunting and Wright (1977) also found that grazing treatments in southern Texas. Adult lizards were forbs and grass cover increased following fire. Ants, the fitted with backpacks carrying radio transmitters and main prey of horned lizards, are not deleteriously relocated daily. Prey abundance (harvester ants, affected by fire or grazing (McCoy and Kaiser 1990; Pogonomyrmex rugosus) and activity were greater in Heske and Campbell 1991; McClaran and Van Devender burned pastures, but grazing had a variable effect 1995:165 Fox et al. 1996). depending on the timing since the last burn. Home ranges in burned pastures were smaller than in Specific objectives of our research were to: compare the unburned pastures in the active season. Level of grazing relative abundance and activity of harvester ants, (heavy vs. moderate) did not affect home range size. Pogonomyrmex rugosus, the main food source of the Texas Summer survival rates of horned lizards were higher in horned lizard, among different burning and grazing the moderately grazed sites than the heavily grazed sites.
    [Show full text]
  • Yellowjackets and Hornets, Vespula and Dolichovespula Spp. (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Vespidae)1 E
    EENY-081 Yellowjackets and Hornets, Vespula and Dolichovespula spp. (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Vespidae)1 E. E. Grissell and Thomas R. Fasulo2 Introduction Distribution Only two of the 18 Nearctic species of Vespula are known Vespula maculifrons is found in eastern North America, from Florida (Miller 1961). These are the two yellowjackets: while Vespula squamosa is found in the eastern United eastern yellowjacket, V. maculifrons (Buysson) and the States and parts of Mexico and Central America. The southern yellowjacket, V. squamosa (Drury). One species baldfaced hornet, Dolichovespula maculata, is found of Dolichovespula is also present: the baldfaced hornet, throughout most of the Nearctic region. D. maculata (Linnaeus). The baldfaced hornet is actually a yellowjacket. It receives its common name of baldfaced Identification from its largely black color but mostly white face, and that The three species of Florida yellowjackets are readily of hornet because of its large size and aerial nest. In general, separated by differences in body color and pattern. Identi- the term “hornet” is used for species which nest above fication is possible without a hand lens or microscope, and, ground and the term “yellowjacket” for those which make for this reason, a simple pictorial key is all that is necessary. subterranean nests. All species are social, living in colonies Color patterns are relatively stable, and their use is further of hundreds to thousands of individuals. strengthened by morphological characters (Miller 1961). Queens and workers may be separated by abdominal pat- terns; males have seven abdominal segments while females have only six. Biology Colonies are founded in the spring by a single queen that mated the previous fall and overwintered as an adult, usually under the bark of a log.
    [Show full text]
  • Arthropods in Linear Elements
    Arthropods in linear elements Occurrence, behaviour and conservation management Thesis committee Thesis supervisor: Prof. dr. Karlè V. Sýkora Professor of Ecological Construction and Management of Infrastructure Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology Group Wageningen University Thesis co‐supervisor: Dr. ir. André P. Schaffers Scientific researcher Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology Group Wageningen University Other members: Prof. dr. Dries Bonte Ghent University, Belgium Prof. dr. Hans Van Dyck Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium Prof. dr. Paul F.M. Opdam Wageningen University Prof. dr. Menno Schilthuizen University of Groningen This research was conducted under the auspices of SENSE (School for the Socio‐Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment) Arthropods in linear elements Occurrence, behaviour and conservation management Jinze Noordijk Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor at Wageningen University by the authority of the Rector Magnificus Prof. dr. M.J. Kropff, in the presence of the Thesis Committee appointed by the Doctorate Board to be defended in public on Tuesday 3 November 2009 at 1.30 PM in the Aula Noordijk J (2009) Arthropods in linear elements – occurrence, behaviour and conservation management Thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen NL with references, with summaries in English and Dutch ISBN 978‐90‐8585‐492‐0 C’est une prairie au petit jour, quelque part sur la Terre. Caché sous cette prairie s’étend un monde démesuré, grand comme une planète. Les herbes folles s’y transforment en jungles impénétrables, les cailloux deviennent montagnes et le plus modeste trou d’eau prend les dimensions d’un océan. Nuridsany C & Pérennou M 1996.
    [Show full text]